Summary
As a result of a number of deaths associated with the use of Conductive Energy Devices (CEDs), and growing concern within the public and the law enforcement communities in Canada, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) approached the Canadian Police Research Centre (CPRC) in August 2004, to conduct a comprehensive review of the existing scientific research and data and provide a national perspective on the safety and use of CEDs. In Canada, the use of CEDs is limited to police officers and guided by policies established by the responsible agencies be they at the federal, provincial or municipal level. In turn, the agencies are guided by the National Use of Force Framework (NUFF), which was established in 2000, by the CACP. It is the intent of this report to provide guidance and assistance to the Canadian police community in reviewing the current operational use of CEDs and the development of future training programs, governing policies and procedures. The CPRC’s review of CEDs focused on three areas: the medical safety of CEDs, the policy considerations for Police CED operations and the analysis of the medical condition excited delirium. The term “Conducted Energy Device” has been used throughout the report rather than the trademarked term “TASER”. This more inclusive term recognizes that there are other products, which may be entering the market. Only the TASER M26 and X 26 were reviewed for this report.